Nordlys Island

Michelle

The discomfort that she initially felt washed away as soon as Lukas mentioned about adventures, and her golden eyes stared at him with awe. Her mouth gaped as he spoke, and soon her lips curled into a warm grin. "Ah! You understand!" Michelle clapped her hands together, happiness welling up within. "Adventure is life! One cannot just sit in one place and watch the world go by. They're missing so much. The world offers so many things to learn and experience, and that is why I'm more than eager to go farther than the sea!"

Oh, the things she wished many of her kind understood. She could not be confined within the sea. She loved the thrill of travelling and learning new things, and best of all, the freedom it brings to embark on an adventure. The mermaid was glad that a human shared the same sentiments as her.

But to answer his question... "Ah, but about my kingdom... Let me rephrase my answer, earlier. They'd very much love to see me. That is, they would love to see me in the kingdom's prison, or at the execution site." Michelle said, her voice dropping and her expression falling into a frown. "I may have committed a grave sin against their rules, and so I fled."

Lukas

He listened with a light smile on his face, delighted of how excited and happy Michelle looked when she spoke about her passion and love for adventure. He nodded when she was finished, perfectly understanding what she meant. For he, too, felt this heavy need for adventure.

Even since he was a child, Lukas had always craved sailing the never ending seas to search for more land and treasury. He craved such adventure and in a young age, had already left his parents to start sailing with the Vikings, often getting injured or even close to dying because of some dangers and storms he had encountered in the ship. And because he had no relation with anyone in that ship whatsoever at that time, he was forced to take care of himself. But still, he got to travel. And that was all that mattered.

Lukas' smile faltered and dropped as he listened to the other attentively, now moving to sit on the sand. "I see.. A sin, you say? And what might that be?" he asked.

Michelle

Her head lowered, face slightly turned away from the man sitting beside her on the shoreline. She brought the satchel onto her tail and clutched it close to her body. If she told him the truth, would he attempt to steal away what she possessed? Is this man one of those humans who crave for wealth and power? She was ready to speak of her story, anyway, but these were her worries.

However, it just took one glimpse at him to settle her doubts. Her golden hues peeked at his face beneath thick lashes, and the belle let out a sigh yet again. This man didn't have it in him to betray her. Or so she thought. She was gullible and had a golden heart that easily trusts anyone.

"Burglary." Michelle answered after a long while, her fingers drumming against the wet leather of the satchel, particularly on the bulk of the wicked bracelet. "I stole something that belonged to the kingdom for my own freedom." Should she be ashamed, if stealing the magical item meant opening doors to new adventures? To a new world?

Lukas

The blonde waited patiently for the other's answers, gaze remaining at her even as she looked away and met his eyes again. Was it really a heavy story for her? Should he take back what he asked? Ah, it was hard to think. But still, Lukas wanted to know more about Michelle. About how she got out of her kingdom safely, her journey too, maybe? And perhaps the scenery or dangers she had seen while she was travelling.

Lukas blinked in surprise, though, when he heard what she said. Burglary? She didn't look like she was one to steal. But, ah..for her freedom. "I see.." he murmured, eyes returning to how they were as he observed her more. Lukas was quiet for a few moments, not really thinking, but instead, letting the new information sink in to his mind. Burglary. For a reason, of course? "Was it worth it?" he asked.

Michelle

The brunette perked up at the new question, having expected something different. She had anticipated being asked what she had stolen or something the like, but no. Lukas presented a much more meaningful question, of which, by the smile forming on her face, she was happy to answer.

"Worth it?" She repeated with a chuckle, looking over at the golden horizon. How far is she from home now? How many dangers had she escaped? How many nights did she suffer of loneliness and overthinking? Was all the pain worth it in exchange to explore a new world?

Michelle breathed deeply before turning to face the blond with an eager grin. Her eyes had a glint of excitement in them. Pulling out the wicked bracelet from her satchel, the mermaid said, "I don't know. Would you like to know the answer with me?"

Lukas

Watching as the brunette dug into her little satchel, Luaks tilted his head when she pulled out an object. A bracelet? This must be what she stole from her kingdom, he thought. Lukas listened to the other and blinked when he was asked. There wasn't really anything that ran around his mind at the moment. Just that Michelle looked really pretty when she smiled like that.

A small smile had yet again tugged at the blonde's lips as he looked at the other rather expectantly although it was masked by his usual expres​sion(plus a small smile). "Gladly." he simply muttered.

Michelle

"Right." She sure wished that everything was worth it. Otherwise she had fought for nothing, and will remain as a mermaid who has nothing left but shame. "Let me just move a little..." Michelle said, struggling to push herself farther from the water and onto the drier sand. Although she had worn the bracelet a few times before, all that's happened was an internal reaction that weakened her powers, which did not help in her escape from the kingdom. But she persevered, and deemed that she must have been doing something wrong.

And maybe actually trying to wear the wicked bracelet on dry land would fully exposed the real powers of the item.

With her arms and tail partially covered in sand, Michelle finally settled in her position, looking at Lukas. "If this works, I may cry of happiness." She laughed, before closing her eyes and slipping on the bracelet.

A few seconds later, Michelle felt the bracelet tighten around her left wrist and it emitted a bright, bluish glow that soon engulfed her whole figure. It blinded her temporarily, and somehow there were weird sensations going on about in her body.

Soon enough, the light vanished, revealing Michelle with her eyes closed... and a pair of legs. Her long mane were the only things that kept her body partially covered.

Lukas

At that time, Lukas had already decided on standing up to look at the other better when she dragged herself up to land. The blonde crossed his arms, waiting for anything that Michelle would do before he saw her slipping in the bracelet. Lukas' eyes grew wide when he looked away for a bit from the bluish bright light that started covering the other's body. When he turned back, she had legs.

Was..was that even possible? Lukas had never read of such jewelry that could turn her tail into feet, and so the blond was still for a moment -- speechless. How.. But they lived in a world where magic could be used and with that kind of power, almost anything was possible!

It took a moment for him to regain his composure and actually approach the other and take his brown cloak off and placing it over the other's shoulders. Looks like the bracelet didn't really come with clothes.

"Amazing." he mumbled, his eyes still slightly wide as he knelt behind the other.

Michelle

The moment her tail was transformed into legs, Michelle felt the temperature around her become different, and her naked body began to shiver. Lukas was quick enough to place his cloak around her shoulders, to which she gratefully covered her frame.

But more than that... She had human legs. She had feet. She was now... human. After such a long time of travelling and fending off the dangers of both the sea and the merpeople, the mermaid had achieved her goal. Just like Lukas, she was dumbfounded by the sight of her transformation.

Squeaking, excited gasps came from her mouth as her smile slowly stretched to a wider, sunnier grin and then she finally exclaimed, "It... It worked! Ursula's power worked!" Her eager eyes flitted to Lukas; tears were welling up at corner of her eyes. "I... It is, indeed, worth it, Lukas." She whispered, voice almost cracking before bowing down and closing her eyes. "Thank you, Ursula."

Lukas

So these were what she was after all this time? To have legs? Lukas did not understand for a moment, he thought that merpeople were simply content with having their tails, able to swim around swiftly and glide through the many waves of the ocean. But of course, his and their concepts of most things were different. He lived in land and Michelle's kind lived in the ocean and the seas. But both he and Michelle craved adventure and their curiosity overflowed, and soon Lukas began to understand that that smile the other had given was of pure joy, and soon, Lukas found his own smile as he watched and listened to the brunette's quiet murmurs.

"Ah. It was worth it after all." he said after a long while of silence. He stood up from where he was but remained on the spot beside the other, waiting for any move that she wished to make.

Michelle

"Truly..." Michelle said in between tears, the bliss overflowing in her heart. Was it bad to be discontented with her life? The world has so much to offer, so much to explore. She was young, she was reckless, she was stubborn but all her decisions just wanted to satisfy her cravings for adventure, freedom and most especially happiness.

A sharp, shooting pain momentarily passed through her lower abdomen, and she winced. Maybe an after effect of the magic? It did not last long, though, so Michelle just blinked for a few times and looked at her human legs again.

After a deep sigh, the brunette started to move her legs, though they were only constant kicking and flopping. She sat up straight, as if pushing her body upwards; an attempt to stand up. She grunted and kicked the sand in annoyance. How do humans make it seem so easy? "Lukas," She stared up, frowning at him. "How do you do that?"

Lukas

He tilted his head a little as he watched Michelle seem to struggle with his feet, moving them around and promptly sitting up straight as she seemed to be a little confused. And when her golden orbs met Lukas' sapphire ones, that was when he realized. Of course she doesn't know how to walk yet. The blonde mentally shook his head at himself before moving a bit and stretching out a hand to the other.

"Here." he said as he looked down on the brunette, "You can pull up with my hand, and push yourself up with your feet." he instructed.

Michelle

It was embarrassing, she knew. But it was part of learning on how to live like a human, she supposed. "Ah, alright, then." The belle complied, reaching out for to the man's hand and attempting to do what she was doing earlier, although now with physical help and clearer instructions. 'So... feet. The two things at the end of my legs.'

Slowly, Michelle curled her legs, feet sliding across the sand. Both her hands gripped Lukas' tightly as her feet steadied on the earth, and forced her body to straighten. "Ugh, apologies... I seem to be a bit heavy." She said, though probably she only spoke of that since it was her first time to actually lift herself up. It was only a matter of second before she got into the squatting position; her legs trembled but her feet kept her grounded.

Lukas

A little nod was sent to the other as Lukas watched her still struggle with her legs. He was quite amused for some reason, but he kept his expression at guard while holding onto both her hands. She wasn't all that heavy, he thought. She was actually very light and Lukas was sure she was lighter than she would have been with a tail.

"Come now, push yourself up." the blonde instructed lightly, also guarding his tone of voice, making sure that he didn't sound like he was giving an order like he often did in his ship. Right now he was a helping hand, he reminded himself. "And just hold onto my hand." he said.

Michelle

"Y-Yes... Just a little bit more..." The brunette replied, wobbling a little but all there's left to do is to actually straighten up. It was like a baby learning how to stand. Slowly but steadily, Michelle stretched her knees until she was fully able to stand, her height reaching up to Lukas' chin.

The moment her attempt to stand was successful, her brilliant golden eyes looked at the blonde's blue pair. Her hands squeezed his as she asked, "Am I doing it right...?" The delight in her voice was similar to a child knowing of a good gift to come, and it was evident in the twinkle of her eyes as well. It was a simple task to some, but for Michelle, it was one of the first and unforgettable steps she had made on land.

Lukas

The small smile on Lukas' face was enough to tell that he was happy for the little success the other had done. He'd understood that this one movement was enough to made Michelle smile so brightly and make her eyes twinkle with as much delight as she had when she first saw her new legs. The blonde nodded as a quiet approval and took a slow and light step back, still holding tightly onto the brunette's hands.

"That's great." he said, although his tone did not much of a help to hint that he was happy for Michelle, he hoped the little smile he had put up would say it all. "Now, move one of your feet forward. And be careful." he instructed, his dull blue eyes glued on the other's as if giving her an encouragement.

Michelle

Was this man always like this? Michelle worried that he might consider her a nuisance now. Did the small smile mean anything? Was he happy with her little achievement? Nonetheless, the fact that Lukas was still holding her hands and giving her instructions for the next step might mean that he didn't mind helping her at all. And so, the brunette obeyed.

She slid her right foot across the sand instead; she was still struggling to actually lift it. And then, like a little child waiting for their elder to be told, Michelle looked at Lukas again from her position. "Bad?" She asked, sheepishly smiling. "Do I do it again?"

Lukas

A little chuckle had escaped the man's lips as he looked down on the other's feet. "No, it's quite alright." He said, his chuckle dying down as he shifted his hold on Michelle's hands. "But you should try doing it with your other foot now." Lukas said, this time more of a suggestion than an order as he took a step back with the door opposite to the one that was expected to move a few moments later. "And this time, go further." He said.

Lukas was starting to feel amused and actually thought that this was fun, trying to teach a mermaid with legs how to walk. He'd never imagine himself doing this, but here he was now. It just proved him more that a lot was actually possible to achieve in life even though you never even thought of achieving it. Lukas sighed a bit, more from happiness though as he watched Michelle.

Michelle

'Oh, he laughed.' At least, even if it was just a small chuckle and it drowned out almost immediately by a new instruction. Staring at him in awe, Michelle blinked a few times before a giggle escaped her lips as well. "As you say, Lukas." She replied, smiling and staring down at her feet. She tried mimicking how Lukas moved his foot, lifting it forward and as she was told, stepped further, almost closing their distance. It was actually easy now, rather than having to drag it across the sand. It was ticklish when the grains ran between her toes.

He sighed exactly as she looked up, and a worried smile crossed her face. "Ah, is something the matter?" The belle hoped he wouldn't tell her that she was a bother at the moment. Not when she's enjoying her new life. She had completely let down her guard now that she's transformed.

Lukas

The blonde shook his head as he looked down to meet the other's golden gaze, "Nothing. It's nothing." He murmured, stepping back with his other foot now, willing for the brunette to do the same thing she did earlier, now with the other foot again. "Until you can balance yourself." He explained, still holding onto Michelle's hands.

They were going to do this until the other could walk on her own two feet, and maybe then Lukas could ask her if she could accompany him for now in the forest. The blonde didn't have any plans about going back to their main Island until Mathias was back, so he was sure that he'd stay here for now. He had a little cabin in this island, deep within the forest where he would usually play with the mythical creatures that roamed around when he was a child, and even until now. Perhaps Michelle could use that if she was willing to stay in this island for a while.

Michelle

She nodded, trying to push away the negative thoughts to the back of her mind and slightly squeezed Lukas' hands. "I shall do my best." Michelle said, looking up at the blond with a small smile. She let her foot follow the trail of his, slowly, and then the other. Michelle quickened her pace as it went on. 'This is quite a progress!' She smugly thought to herself, her smile broadening to a grin and then she laughed.

For a few rounds, the duo repeated the same pattern until the brunette took a deep breath, her hands loosening their hold on Lukas' pair. "May I try to do it on my own?" She wasn't all sure that she's perfected the balance needed to walk on feet, but it'll eventually lead to that, right? After all, Lukas would not be always there for her if she needs to walk. "I think I may be able to do it, even without holding your hands."

Lukas

Taking steps back and letting the other mask and step on his footprints for a while, Lukas was getting more and more entertained by this and somewhat happy for the brunette when she lifted her foot up and placed it exactly on the footprint Lukas left. He guessed that it was easier to learn how to walk when you were already fully grown rather than when you were still a child.

He looked up from their feet to meet Michelle's eyes and nodded when she requested to walk on her own. Without any hesitation, Lukas slowly let go of the girl's hands and took a few steps back. Though, he remained in front of her in fear that she might fall off somewhere along the way.

Michelle

She smiled a little and looked down on her feet standing on the sand. By now they were nearing the forest where Lukas had come from originally, the opening a number of feet away. The rock where he sat earlier was coming into view, too. What an achievement! Now, she has to do it on her own.

She took a careless step and wobbled, squeaking a little, but raised her arms sideways immediately to regain balance. Sheepishly, she flashed an apologetic smile at Lukas but continued on, anyway. It was more of a silent exchange of words after that, communicating through eyes and small nods and encouraging smiles. Michelle took steady steps towards Lukas, and along her little training, she had managed to do it without needing to balance with her hands.

"How did I do?" The brunette asked, taking the final step in front of the blonde. She bowed and laughed gleefully, hoping that her 'teacher' approved of her.

Lukas

It seemed only a moment had passed and the other's steps had already wavered. Lukas was on the verge of walking up to Michelle and take her hands again, but seeing her apologetic look and the way she tried to move on again, Lukas couldnt bring himself to do it. She was so determined and he could see that.

A small exchange of nods and smiles and soon, the brunette had already started clumsily walking. Like a 2 year old girl taking her few steps on her own and soon, she had already stopped in front of him. Lukas took her hands in his then steadied the girl from her wobbling.

"Brilliant." Lukas simply said, his lips curling into a light smile as he let the brunette hold on to his hands.

Michelle

Her eyes locked on Lukas' face then down to his smile, and Michelle couldn't help but let herself loose in laughter. "Lukas, thank you for helping me, but," She paused, stifling her laugh. "I just thought, and might suggest, that you smile more like that." She had no idea why she told him that, it was just that Michelle thought Lukas looked better with that sort of expression.

She squeezed his hands gently, relaxing herself now with a grin stretched across her face. "You must teach me more, though!" The eagerness exposing themselves in her golden eyes. "I know there is a form of walking that is faster... Oh! And jumping, too! It sounds fun."